Description
Hanky Pankys are delightful chewy bars combining oats, nuts, coconut, and a caramel-like butter and brown sugar base, perfect for a quick and satisfying treat. These no-bake bars baked into golden rounds offer a flavorful mix of textures and can be customized with chocolate chips, dried fruit, and spices for extra flair.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
- 1 cup oats
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (or sunflower seeds for nut-free)
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice (optional)
Add-Ins
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white, optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped dried fruit (cranberries, cherries, apricots, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Tray: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking, ensuring the Hanky Pankys bake evenly and are easy to remove.
- Melt the Butter and Sugar Mix: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together while stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns smooth and glossy, creating a rich caramel-like base.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the flour (or gluten-free flour blend), oats, chopped nuts or seeds, shredded coconut, salt, and optional spices thoroughly to form a textured base.
- Mix Wet and Dry Components: Pour the warm butter and sugar mixture into the dry ingredients along with the vanilla extract. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly coated in a sticky dough. Add any optional chocolate chips or dried fruit and combine.
- Shape and Bake: Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, flattening each gently with the back of a spoon into small, thin rounds. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until edges turn golden brown and centers set.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the Hanky Pankys to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them crisp up perfectly before serving.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Use sunflower seeds instead of nuts for a nut-free alternative.
- Customize with your choice of chocolate chips or dried fruits to vary flavor.
- Ensure not to overbake to maintain a chewy texture; watch for golden edges as an indicator.
- Store in an airtight container to keep them fresh and maintain texture.
